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Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do - Health - Nairaland

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Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by evanso6226(f): 3:52pm On Feb 02, 2019
A guy walks down the street, feeling totally normal—when he suddenly clutches his chest and collapses.
That’s how heart attacks in men are usually portrayed in movies, but it doesn’t always work that way in real life.
Although heart attacks can occur without any warning, that scenario is way less common than you think. Common heart attacks generally come with warning signs.

“Most patients do have symptoms prior to their heart attacks,” says James Park, M.D., FACC, director of the Heart and Vascular Program at Texas Health Dallas. “It’s just that sometimes, men will ignore the symptoms or chalk it up to some other malady.

Think about it: If you felt overwhelming chest discomfort chances are you’ll get it checked out. But it’s easy to blow off more subtle symptoms of a heart problem.

While you probably think you're pretty healthy, cardiovascular problems are way more common than you'd think. According to new statistics from the American Heart Association, roughly 50 percent of Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. As the organization warns in a new report, cardiovascular diseases are responsible for the most deaths worldwide.

In the U.S., the number of heart disease-related deaths increased to 840,678 in 2016 from 836,546 in 2015. This jump is attributed to updated guidelines for high blood pressure which lowered the reading to 130/80 mm Hg, from the previous reading of 140/90 mm Hg. High blood pressure is a big risk factor of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.

This is why it's vital to take unusual signs seriously– you can catch a heart attack before it happens.
Here are seven unexpected cues to watch for, plus what you should do if you have them.

1. You’re physically exhausted

If your day-to-day routines or workouts suddenly seem unusually hard—or you’re too worn out to do your normal tasks altogether, it’s time to visit the doctor, says Robert Segal, M.D., FAAC, founder of Manhattan Cardiology.
Feeling extra tired can signal weakness of the left ventricle of your heart, the main muscle responsible for pumping blood from the heart to the rest of the body, says Segal. If it stops working, the heart isn’t able to pump properly, which can result in a heart attack.

And if the left ventricle isn’t pumping as strongly as should be, your heart might not be able to circulate enough blood throughout your body, or to fill up properly with fresh blood in between heartbeats.
To compensate, the body diverts blood away from muscles and sends it to more vital organs like the heart and brain, according to the American Heart Association. This will leave you exhausted—even after a full night’s sleep, since your tissues aren’t getting enough fresh, oxygenated blood

2. Your erection falters

Erections occur when more blood flows into your pen*s, making it firm and hard. But if those blood vessels are damaged, blood flows less freely, meaning you’re less likely to get an erec tion, or maintain an erec tion, when ar0used. That’s a main cause of erec tile dysfunction.

As Segal explains, if your blood vessels down there are damaged, there’s a good chance the ones near your heart could be damaged as well.
A major cause of this blood vessel damage is plaque buildup. When that occurs in the vessels to your heart, you could be at risk of a heart attack, he says.
Having a one-time performance problem isn’t likely a big deal—it could just mean you’re tired or stressed. But if the issue persists after a few sessions in the sack, it could be a sign of something more serious.

3. Your leg or hip cramps up when you walk

A cramping or burning sensation in your calves that slowly moves up to your thighs and hips could be bad news. It’s a common sign of peripheral artery disease—a narrowing of the arteries that limits blood flow to your limbs, stomach, and head.
That discomfort is caused when not enough blood flows through your legs. “Most patients will admit to not being able to walk normal distances without symptoms, or having to stop to rest before they can walk again without symptoms,” says Park.

This discomfort could mean your heart is at-risk for potential problems, too. PAD is similar to coronary artery disease, where plaque builds up around the heart’s major blood vessels. So the plaque buildup that contributes to the narrowing of your arteries in your limbs may also be occurring in arteries by your heart, too, according to the Mayo Clinic.

And that buildup can significantly up your risk for a heart attack, says Park.

4. You have a serious snoring problem

Snoring like a buzz saw, waking up gasping for air, or feeling tired despite going to bed at a reasonable time could all be signs that you have sleep apnea, a sleep disorder marked by pauses in breathing. And if left untreated, it could increase your chance for a heart attack.
Those pauses in breathing can seriously stress your body, raising your blood pressure, causing your heart to beat irregularly, and upping the risk for heart disease, says Segal. And all of those things can make a heart attack more likely.

5. You feel sick to your stomach

Sometimes nausea, indigestion, or a “burping” feeling that won’t go away is just a sign of a stomach bug. But it can also signal a problem with your heart.
“The nervous system sometimes confuses signals coming from various parts of the body,” says Park. The nerves in your gastrointestinal tract are closely intertwined with the nerves from the heart. As a result, a problem that could be brewing in your heart can sometimes translate as stomach discomfort, he explains.

There’s a way to tell a stomach bug from something more serious, though. Usually nausea caused by an impending heart attack will get worse with physical exertion and ease up when you rest.

6. You feel strangely anxious

Studies show that women with anxiety are more likely to have reduced blood flow to the heart compared to those without anxiety. And though the same hasn’t been shown for men, it’s still important for guys to consider the relationship between anxiety and heart attack risk, warns Segal.

That’s because many symptoms of anxiety—like chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations—are also signs of a heart attack, especially if you’re not in the middle of dealing with a stressful situation that might normally cause these kinds of symptoms.
“This can potentially mask heart problems in many patients and lead to significant delays in diagnosis and treatment,” explains Segal. In other words, you’re probably not going call 911 if you think your racing heart is just a mood thing.

Anxiety can put extra strain on your heart too. That’s because feeling tense causes your blood vessels to constrict and speeds up your heart rate, which could both trigger a heart attack, says Segal.

7. You’re bloated

Bloating is common—particularly after eating a super salty meal—but it can also be caused by congestive heart failure. This is because the heart is too weak to properly pump blood through the body, which causes fluids to build up throughout the body.
Generally, you’ll notice swelling in the legs feet, ankles, legs or stomach, according to the American Heart Association. You may even gain weight unexpectedly or notice that your shoes are too tight. If you’re suddenly bloated (and it won’t go away), it may be time to visit the doctor.

What To Do If You Experience Heart Attack Symptoms

Unlike the classic crushing chest pain, these symptoms don’t guarantee that your heart is in immediate danger. But they could indicate that trouble could be brewing down the road, so make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as you can.

“If you’re fortunate enough to have symptoms, listen to your body and get them checked out,” Park says.
If your doctor suspects that a heart attack could be looming, he might recommend an EKG, a test measures the heart’s electrical activity and shows if your heart is damaged. He might also call for a coronary angiogram, which detects blockages in your arteries.

And if you experience any classic symptoms that signal you’re having a heart attack right now, call 911 ASAP. These include chest pressure or tightness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, breaking out into a cold sweat, or discomfort in the arms, neck, or jaw.

Of course, the best way to prevent a heart attack is to improve overall health by lowering high blood pressure, maintaining a normal body weight, and abstaining from smoking.

SOURCE: https://www.dailyhealthytips.co/2019/02/warning-signs-that-you-may-be-at-risk.html

13 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by ainas247: 4:17pm On Feb 02, 2019
smiley Some go get many in 15 days time (people who said this election is do or die) what out

Put your business on Google and get more clients check my profile to see new results

1 Like

Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by Nobody: 4:18pm On Feb 02, 2019
sad

15 Likes

Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by SouthSouth1914: 4:19pm On Feb 02, 2019
And if you experience any classic symptoms that signal you’re having a heart attack right now, call 911 ASAP.


There is no emergency service in Nigeria!

20 Likes 1 Share

Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by ngwababe(f): 4:20pm On Feb 02, 2019
Okay
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by Bigframe: 4:20pm On Feb 02, 2019
Very educative nice one.
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by evanso6226(f): 4:20pm On Feb 02, 2019
..
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by Mariangeles(f): 4:22pm On Feb 02, 2019
Educative !

Young people should always look out for these symptoms in their elderly/ parents to avoid sudden deaths .

1 Like

Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by Benjaniblinks(m): 4:22pm On Feb 02, 2019
Tips. For Zombies B4 Feb 16.

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by dayleke: 4:23pm On Feb 02, 2019
Nice one...
May baba God help us.
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by MANNABBQGRILLS: 4:24pm On Feb 02, 2019
For the survivors : Be brave. Afterwards, don’t be worried about your scar. Just be proud and know that you’ve won the battle

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by Zendinho(m): 4:24pm On Feb 02, 2019
Bia... OP... why you bring this topic close to election period?

Okkkk..... i know your plans.... you want some people to start preparing against 16th February.....

1 Like

Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by jbass1(m): 4:24pm On Feb 02, 2019
Hmmmm
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by weedfada(m): 4:25pm On Feb 02, 2019
To counteract all these, just develop a healthy lifestyle asap... Exercise regularly (I do that 5x a week, cardio plus resistance training) and cut out all that unhealthy eating and shii

3 Likes

Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by BoboKush(m): 4:25pm On Feb 02, 2019
I think I neee to see my doc
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by BestInformation: 4:26pm On Feb 02, 2019
Hmmm
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by BestInformation: 4:28pm On Feb 02, 2019
Nice information
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by Nobody: 4:30pm On Feb 02, 2019
Good one.
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by Gkemz: 4:31pm On Feb 02, 2019
Interesting topics like this suppose to make fp
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by Donmoscojaja(m): 4:31pm On Feb 02, 2019
Naija self na heart Attack on its own
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by Caseless: 4:32pm On Feb 02, 2019
I pity wailers who will develop this after February 16th.

2 Likes

Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by Fuckyoumod: 4:35pm On Feb 02, 2019
Something must kill a man!
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by Nobody: 4:35pm On Feb 02, 2019
just as osibanjo helicopter crash is also a sign of heart attack grin
Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by AbbeyvanPersie(m): 4:37pm On Feb 02, 2019
post=75354890:
For the survivor:Be brave. Afterwards, don’t be worried about your scar. Just be proud and know that you’ve won the battle
learn from the OP. The OP posted a meaningful thing.

1 Like

Re: Warning Signs That You May Be At Risk Of A Heart Attack And What To Do by MANNABBQGRILLS: 4:38pm On Feb 02, 2019
Aurielfinizu:
just as osibanjo helicopter crash is also a sign of heart attack grin

Smh!!

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